Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Falcon Mesa has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 74°F (24°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 87°F in July. The area gets 312 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 20.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 327 feet.
Temperature
57°F Jan (14°C)87°F Jul (31°C)
Annual Average
74.4°F
38% above US avg
January Average
57°F (14°C)
July Average
87°F (31°C)
Sunny Days
312 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
327 ft (100 m)
Area
1.5 sq mi (3.9 km²)
Population Density
278/sq mi
Coordinates
26.8706°N, 99.2917°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Zapata County County
Nearest Airport
Laredo International (LRD) 48 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall20.4"
46% below US avg
Snowfall0.1"
Wettest Month (Sep)3.62"
Driest Month (Mar)0.83"
Air Quality
AQI Median
42.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
31.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability
96.8 / 100
Community Resilience
0.5 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very Low
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Very Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Very Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Very Low
Lightning
Very Low
Ice Storm
Very Low
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively High
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M4.1.
Jan 19, 2014
12 km SSW of China, Mexico
M4.1
142 km
12 km
Mar 2, 2014
15 km SW of China, Mexico
M4.0
141 km
8 km
Mar 5, 2014
18 km SSW of China, Mexico
M3.9
148 km
10 km
Aug 30, 2016
11 km N of Los Ramones, Mexico
M3.6
124 km
38 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
9 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 4.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2020
Hanna
Category 1
92 mph
132 km
2017
Harvey
Category 4
132 mph
262 km
2008
Dolly
Category 2
98 mph
154 km
2005
Emily
Category 3
127 mph
216 km
2003
Erika
Category 1
75 mph
251 km
1999
Bret
Category 4
138 mph
121 km
1988
Gilbert
Category 3
127 mph
257 km
1983
Barry
Category 1
81 mph
242 km
1980
Allen
Category 4
127 mph
56 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
24 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 40 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 19, 1965
EF3
97 km
1.5 mi
0
May 5, 1991
EF2
90 km
1.0 mi
0
Jun 29, 1971
EF2
68 km
0.3 mi
0
May 23, 1970
EF2
4 km
4.5 mi
0
May 23, 1970
EF2
4 km
4.5 mi
0
Apr 5, 1961
EF2
49 km
2.5 mi
0
Sep 7, 1956
EF2
4 km
0.1 mi
0
Jul 2, 2010
EF1
78 km
1.9 mi
0
Jun 14, 1994
EF1
99 km
0.5 mi
0
Sep 7, 1983
EF1
89 km
2.0 mi
0
May 22, 1977
EF1
95 km
0.1 mi
0
May 22, 1977
EF1
59 km
0.1 mi
0
May 10, 2012
EF0
47 km
0.1 mi
0
Jun 3, 2009
EF0
76 km
1.4 mi
0
Apr 25, 2006
EF0
99 km
1.0 mi
0
Jul 20, 2005
EF0
45 km
0.1 mi
0
Jul 20, 2005
EF0
77 km
1.0 mi
0
Jul 20, 2005
EF0
79 km
2.0 mi
0
Apr 2, 2004
EF0
54 km
0.1 mi
0
May 17, 2002
EF0
7 km
2.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: SMAC (19,449 acres, 2011).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2011
SMAC
19,449
95 km
2017
HOPPER
7,150
98 km
2022
BLANKET
5,823
97 km
2021
NORTH JONES
3,541
89 km
2023
JENNINGS
3,494
29 km
2008
UNNAMED
3,389
62 km
2008
DANA
3,127
74 km
2008
JONES RANCH
2,998
63 km
2005
2686
2,979
44 km
2009
HOPPER
2,929
98 km
2008
285 FIRE
2,820
93 km
2022
GROOVE
2,299
97 km
2021
JONES
2,178
88 km
2010
ENCINITOS RANCH
1,967
94 km
2011
ENCINITOS
1,748
96 km
2008
UNNAMED
1,633
88 km
2023
FLORIDA
1,514
85 km
2008
SAN RAFAEL RANCH
1,407
76 km
2005
BORREGO
1,392
62 km
2004
ROMAN COMPLEX
1,241
46 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
57°F (14°C)
0.9 in
Coldest
February
60°F (16°C)
0.9 in
March
69°F (20°C)
0.8 in
Driest
April
75°F (24°C)
1.6 in
May
81°F (27°C)
2.8 in
June
86°F (30°C)
2.2 in
July
87°F (31°C)
1.2 in
Warmest
August
87°F (31°C)
2.3 in
September
84°F (29°C)
3.6 in
Wettest
October
76°F (24°C)
2.0 in
November
67°F (19°C)
1.0 in
December
60°F (15°C)
0.8 in
Falcon Mesa has a seasonal temperature swing of 30°F / from 57°F in January to 87°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.0 inches, with September being the wettest month (3.6") and March the driest (0.8").